A34689:3581
A34689:3581
A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first Epistle general of John by ... John Cotton ...A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first Epistle generall of John by ... John Cotton ...
London: printed by M.S. for Thomas Parkhurst, 1658
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. For the doctrine, there was a spirit of error in their foundation, and wrought mightily at that time in their hearts, so that men durst not trust the grace of Christ, a• if there were not safe holding upon naked Christ; but the Apostle doth utterly inveigh against such, Gal. 5.3, 4, 5. saith he, either trust God for all or nothing, distrusting of grace, or depending on something in nature or grace received, are the rocks upon which so many souls suffer shipwreck in Religion at this day.
1. For the doctrine, there was a spirit of errour in their foundation, and wrought mightily at that time in their hearts, so that men durst not trust the grace of Christ, a• if there were not safe holding upon naked Christ; but the Apostle doth utterly inveigh against such, Gal. 5.3, 4, 5. saith he, either trust God for all or nothing, distrusting of grace, or depending on something in nature or grace received, are the rocks upon which so many souls suffer shipwrack in Religion at this day.
2. There is a spirit of arrogancy, contempt of Magistracy and Government, Jude vers. 8. looking at the Pope as the Sun in the Firmament; this was flourishing in the Apostles time, and now also.
2. There is a spirit that breatheth in their worship:
1. A spirit of superstition, Col. 2.18. men at that time worshipped Angels, thus the Papists at this day; but they have more Angels and Saints, to which they cleave rather then to Christ, they did begin to worship Images, 1 John 5.21. Therefore John blesseth his babes from them: men departed from God, and clave not only to creatures, but the works of mens hands, the same spirit ruleth at this day: there was a spirit of hypocrisy, a show of Religion, without the mighty power of the Lord Jesus showed is any performance, Col. 2.23. they had many things to draw their bodies and they durst not come to the Lord Jesus, but they must have some Saint or Angel to come to him by: they did invent courses the Lord did not require; this the Apostle calls a show of Religion, which is hypocrisy; and so at, this day among the Friars, they have a show of Religion, they take up worships, which God doth dot require, of which it may be said, Who required those things of you? the Galatians did observe days, and months, and years, therefore the Apostle is afraid that he hath bestowed his labour in vain upon them, Chap. 4.10, 11.
1. A spirit of superstition, Col. 2.18. men at that time worshipped Angels, thus the Papists at this day; but they have more Angels and Saints, to which they cleave rather then to Christ, they did begin to worship Images, 1 John 5.21. Therefore John blesseth his babes from them: men departed from God, and clave not only to creatures, but the works of mens hands, the same spirit ruleth at this day: there was a spirit of hypocrisie, a shew of Religion, without the mighty power of the Lord Jesus shewed is any performance, Col. 2.23. they had many things to draw their bodies and they durst not come to the Lord Jesus, but they must have some Saint or Angel to come to him by: they did invent courses the Lord did not require; this the Apostle cals a shew of Religion, which is hypocrisie; and so at, this day among the Fryars, they have a shew of Religion, they take up worships, which God doth dot require, of which it may be said, Who required those things of you? the Galatians did observe dayes, and months, and years, therefore the Apostle is afraid that he hath bestowed his labour in vain upon them, Chap. 4.10, 11.
3. What was the spirit of their discipline and government? they did affect primacy; the Apostles were no sooner removed out of the world, but this spirit began to spring up, yea, while some of them lived, John 3.9.
2. That that spirit did affect and exercise tyranny, casting out of the Church such Ministers as were more faithful, 3 Epist. John 9.10. Diotrephes would not receive John himself, nor his brethren; nor would suffer those that would; that spirit hath been in the Church of Rome from that day to this. A second part of their tyranny was, in imposing upon them unprofitable ⟨p. 289⟩courses, unprofitable they were because they did perish in the using Col. 2.20, to 22.
2. That that spirit did affect and exercise tyranny, casting out of the Church such Ministers as were more faithful, 3 Epist. John 9.10. Diotrephes would not receive John himselfe, nor his brethren; nor would suffer those that would; that spirit hath been in the Church of Rome from that day to this. A second part of their tyranny was, in imposing upon them unprofitable ⟨p. 289⟩courses, unprofitable they were because they did perish in the using Col. 2.20, to 22.
3. There was a spirit of covetousness in Ministers, they did not savour the things of God; but did relish wealth and ambition, Jude 11. they follow the ways of sin, as Cain did. In Cain there was first hypocrisy, he offers a sacrifice, and when he saw his brothers sacrifice accepted, being offered in faith, and his not, there arose in him a spirit of wrath, which ended in bloodshed; such was the spirit of Popery in Queen Mary's days. Some walk in the ways of Balaam, the ways of covetousness, putting stumbling blocks before the people, and that for covetousness sake. Thirdly, some have the gainsaying spirit of Korah, they gainsay the Ordinances of God; like as he rose up against M•ses and Aaron; this spirit breathing in Antichristian teachers at this day, was hatched in the Apostles time. There was a spirit of Schism in the Apostles time, some saying, I am of Paul and, I of Apollo, &c. 1 Cor. 1.12. and so at this time among the Papists, Jude v. 19.
3. There was a spirit of coveteousnesse in Ministers, they did not savour the things of God; but did relish wealth and ambition, Jude 11. they follow the wayes of sin, as Cain did. In Cain there was first hypocrisie, he offers a sacrifice, and when he saw his brothers sacrifice accepted, being offered in faith, and his not, there arose in him a spirit of wrath, which ended in bloudshed; such was the spirit of Popery in Queen Maries days. Some walk in the wayes of Balaam, the wayes of coveteousnesse, putting stumbling blocks before the people, and that for covetousnesse sake. Thirdly, some have the gainsaying spirit of Korah, they gainsay the Ordinances of God; like as he rose up against M•ses and Aaron; this spirit breathing in Antichristian teachers at this day, was hatched in the Apostles time. There was a spirit of Schism in the Apostles time, some saying, I am of Paul and, I of Apollo, &c. 1 Cor. 1.12. and so at this time among the Papists,
Use 1. See the diligence of Satan to sow tares, even in the Apostles times, therefore Ministers should watch diligently over their people, that no such spirit be sown in their hearts; Satan will creep in by dissension, the affections being once distempered, the judgement will soon be corrupted. Wherefore Ministers and people should have a special care of dissension; for if dissension creep in, then soon will you have your worship shut up, and then there will be a woeful wast of Religion.
Ʋse 1. See the diligence of Satan to sow tares, even in the Apostles times, therefore Ministers should watch diligently over their people, that no such spirit be sown in their hearts; Satan will creep in by dissension, the affections being once distempered, the judgement will soon be corrupted. Wherefore Ministers and people should have a speciall care of dissension; for if dissension creep in, then soon will you have your worship shut up, and then there will be a wofull wast of Religion.
2. See the impudence of Heretics, that dare look God in the face, and rise up among his many bright and glorious lights in the Apostles times; but let no Christians be discouraged by this, but rather the more encouraged to contend and strive for the faith of Christ.
2. See the impudence of Heretiques, that dare look God in the face, and rise up among his many bright and glorious lights in the Apostles times; but let no Christians be discouraged by this, but rather the more encouraged to contend and strive for the faith of Christ.
3. This should teach Scholars, not to take any ancient doctrine for truth till they have examined it; Though Peter was blessed for the testimony of Christ, one part of the day, yet he was sharply reproved the same day; trust not any doctrine almost in regard of the antiquity of it, for it may be Antichristianism, though in the Apostles times.
3. This should teach Schollars, not to take any ancient doctrine for truth till they have examined it; Though Peter was blessed for the testimony of Christ, one part of the day, yet he was sharply reproved the same day; trust not any doctrine almost in regard of the antiquity of it, for it may be Antichristianism, though in the Apostles times.
4. If we would be growing up in grace from day to day, take we heed of the spirit of Antichrist; of taking up the worship which God hath not commanded, take we heed of hypocrisy, a spirit of Popery, a show of devotion. Come we to the Sacrament, as if we would receive the power of the Lord Jesus veiled in much simplicity: take we heed of the spirit of Cain, Balaam, and Korah, gainsaying the Ordinances of God; but walk we steadfastly in that Religion we have received.
4. If we would be growing up in grace from day to day, take we heed of the spirit of Antichrist; of taking up the worship which God hath not commanded, take we heed of hypocrisie, a spirit of Popery, a shew of devotion. Come we to the Sacrament, as if we would receive the power of the Lord Jesus vailed in much simplicity: take we heed of the spirit of Cain, Balaam, and Korah, gainsaying the Ordinances of God; but walk we stedfastly in that Religion we have received.
1 JOHN 4.4. Ye are of God little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the world.
AS you had before in the former Verse, a sign of the spirit of teachers; so in these Verses you have a sign of the spirit of hearers, which is double.
First Sign taken from victory, which good hearers have got of bad teachers, a good hearer is not overcome of bad teachers, but he soon finds them out, and overcomes them, and this is argued from a double cause.
First Sign taken from victory, which good hearers have got of bad teachers, a good hearer is not overcome of bad teachers, but he soon findes them out, and overcomes them, and this is argued from a double cause.
First, They are of an higher off-spring then corrupt teachers are.
Secondly, From the strength and excellency of their spirits, above the spirits of worldly teachers, Greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the world. False Teachers are set forth, 1 By their Original. 2 By their false Doctrine.
Secondly, From the strength and excellency of their spirits, above the spirits of worldly teachers, Greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the world. False Teachers are set forth, 1 By their Originall. 2 By their false Doctrine.